Moses Lake School Board discusses CBSS conversion

MOSES LAKE - High school students from Columbia Basin Secondary School probably won't go to Moses Lake High School. Keeping CBSS students in a separate space was one of the recommendations from a committee asked to design a program for those students, whose school will be converted into a middle school in 2014.

The committee made its preliminary report at a recent meeting of the Moses Lake School Board.

School officials surveyed CBSS students, and 88 of them said they wanted a program separate from MLHS, Dave Balcom said, who's head of the committee charged with developing a transition plan. About 14 percent of the kids said they would attend the high school.

Balcom said kids may change their minds over time, but as of now the committee is recommending a separate schedule and separate class space. The CBSS students would have the same graduation requirements as they had when they entered school, Balcom said, and would have to earn 21.5 credits. Graduates would earn a Moses Lake School District diploma, not one from CBSS, Balcom said. But they would have a separate graduation ceremony, he said.

The former CBSS students should have comparable access to technology and instruction as kids at MLHS, Balcom said.

Secondary school counselor Jessica Merritt said that MLHS is not an option for some of the CBSS students, and the staff wanted to ensure those kids have an environment for success. Other CBSS students are loyal to the school, and it's important to let them keep that loyalty, Merritt said.

District superintendent Michelle Price said she thinks it will be possible to give CBSS students what they need without sending them to MLHS. Balcom said the CBSS teachers have toured the new Columbia Basin Skills Center and are optimistic about the possibilities.

Price asked board members about changing the CBSS name, since it will be converted into a middle school. Board members directed that a committee be set up in January to come up with a new name.

District patrons will be asked for suggestions, and the goal is to submit the top three choices to the board in February, Price said.

The committee working on a schedule for the new middle school will deliver its first report in December, Price said.

New board member Oscar Ochoa was sworn in for a four-year term. Ochoa replaces Lew Mason, who retired after two terms.

The board will sponsor its next community forum from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the ATEC building at Big Bend Community College. Two board members will attend to answer questions on any subject of interest to parents and district patrons. The February community meeting is scheduled from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Park Orchard Elementary School library.

Mark Johnson, director of business and operations, reported district officials will advertise for bids for a new building for the high school swimming pool in January.

Price announced that funding proposals for the second phase at the skills center are due Dec. 31. The proposal would add 19,000 square feet to the building. Price said the application must be submitted now because of the long application timeline.